Relative clauses are subordinate clauses using a relative pronoun, for example: que, quien, el cual, cuyo. Relative adverbs cuando, como, or donde can also introduce a relative clause.
These clauses can add two different types of information about the noun (present in the main clause) they are modifying:
Defining relative clauses: "relativas especificativas"
Defining relative clauses are called "subordinadas relativas especificativas" in Spanish. They give important information about the noun and without this clause we would lose part of the meaning of the sentence. They define the noun; the information in the clause differentiates the element referred to from the rest. Let's see some examples:
Los estudiantes que aprobaron el examen se pusieron muy contentos.The students who passed the exam were very happy. Here, the subordinate clause refers "only" to the students who passed the exam (and not any of the other students) - it specifies the exact type of student, it defines them.
El collar que llevabas ayer era muy bonito.The necklace you were wearing yesterday was very pretty. Here, the subordinate clause refers to a specific necklace: the one she was wearing yesterday (not any other that she may own or have worn on any other day) - it is defining exactly which necklace by giving specific information that differentiates it from any other.
Here are other examples with other relative pronouns and relative adverbs:
El restaurante donde comimos el sábado siempre está lleno.The restaurant where we ate on Saturday is always full.
Este es el lugar donde celebramos nuestra boda.This is the place where we celebrated our wedding.
Los chicos a quienes conocimos el otro día son simpatiquísimos.They guys we met the other day are really friendly.
La chica de la que hablas vive en mi pueblo.The girl you are talking about lives in my town.
La manera como explica este profesor me parece confusa.I find the way that this teacher explains things confusing.
Los padres cuyos hijos estén en la lista pueden pasar.The parents whose children are on the list can come in.
En aquellos tiempos cuando no había tecnología los niños hacían más ejercicio.Back when there was no technology children did more exercise.
Relative clauses that use cuando, donde, como can be substituted by que/cual, with the same meaning, for example, you can also say:
- El restaurante en el que (=donde) comimos el sábado siempre está lleno.
- En aquellos tiempos en que/en los cuales (=cuando) no había tecnología...
- La manera en la que (=como) explica este profesor...
It's important to note two important points about defining relative clauses:
- They contain important information in the sentence.
- There are no commas in these clauses.
Non-defining relative clauses: "relativas explicativas"
Non-defining relative clauses are called "subordinadas relativas explicativas" in Spanish. They convey information about the noun that is supplementary, extra or even "redundant", i.e. it does not differentiate the noun, it is not information that defines the noun. If we were to omit the clause, the sentence would still make sense and there would be no important information missing. Notice how with "explicativas" there are always commas. Let's see some examples:
Mis amigos, a los que quiero mucho, me hicieron un montón de regalos.My friends, who I really love, brought me lots of presents. This sentence does not refer to a sub-set of friends that I really love, here it refers to all my friends, and gives the extra information that I love them all.
El collar, que es de perlas, va muy bien con este vestido.The necklace, which is a pearl necklace, goes really nicely with this dress. This sentence is not differentiating one necklace among many, ;it is just extra information about an innate quality of that necklace.
Ese lugar, donde hay un lago, es precioso.That place, where there is a lake, is beautiful. Here, I am giving supplementary generic information about the place but I am not differentiating it from other places.
En ese momento, cuando todos estábamos listos para salir, comenzó a llover fuerte.At that moment, when we were all ready to go, it started to pour with rain. Here, I am not differentiating that moment from another moment, it is just additional information about that same moment.
It's important to note two important points about non-defining relative clauses:
- They contain redundant information in the sentence.
- They always need commas.
How to use quien/quienes
The relative pronouns quien/quienes are only interchangeable with que in relative clauses in some cases.
Bear in mind that quien/quienes can always be used in non-defining clauses (explicativas), but to be used in defining clauses (especificativas) the relative must be used with a preposition, otherwise you need que. For example:
Non-defining (explicativa):
Los dos candidatos, quienes tienen bastante experiencia en el sector, han hecho una entrevista excelente.The two candidates, who have quite a lot of experience in the sector, have completed excellent interviews. Non-defining (explicativa):
Mi hija, a quien todos admiran, trabaja muy duro.My daughter, who everyone admires, works very hard. Defining (especificativa):
El empresario para quien yo trabajaba es millonario.The business owner who I worked for is a millionaire. Defining (especificativa):
El empresario quien que es millonario me ofreció trabajo.The business owner who is a millionaire offered me a job.
How to use el cual/los cuales
As with quien/quienes, the relative pronouns el cual, la cual, los cuales, las cuales are interchangeable with que in relative clauses in some cases. The same rule as for quien/quienes, i.e. the need of a preposition in defining clauses (especificativas), applies to el cual, la cual, los cuales, las cuales.
For example:
non-defining (explicativa):
El señor Ramos, al cual le presenté el otro día, vendrá a la reunión.Mr Ramos, who I introduced you to the other day, will come to the meeting. non-defining (explicativa):
Picasso, el cual obtuvo gran reconocimiento internacional, murió en 1973.Picasso, who gained great international recognition, died in 1973. non-defining (explicativa):
Este compañero, con el cual estoy teniendo problemas, se ha quejado.This colleague, who I am having problems with, has complained. defining (especificativa):
Las chicas las cuales que vinieron a mi fiesta no son de Sevilla.The girls who came to my party aren't from Seville. defining (especificativa):
Las chicas con las cuales viniste a mi fiesta no son de Sevilla.The girls who you came with to my party aren't from Seville.
It's important to remember that you cannot use cual/cuales without the articles el, la, los, las, and there is no accent (el cuál, los cuáles..)
This would be incorrect:
Picasso, cual obtuvo gran reconocimiento internacional, ...
When there is no antecendent
Some relative clauses don't have a "visible" antecedent, i.e. the noun the relative is referring to. This often happens with cuando, como, donde. See some examples:
Nos casaremos cuando tú quieras.We'll marry when you want. Here, the sentence implies "any time you want", but "time" is not explicitly mentioned in the sentence:
Nos casaremos en el momento en que/ en el cual tú quieras.
We'll marry any time you want.
Hazlo como te enseñé ayer.Do it as I taught you yesterday. With an antecedent this would be:
Hazlo de la forma en la que/en la cual te enseñé ayer.
Do it the way I taught you yesterday.
¿Nos vemos donde vive Carmen?Shall we meet where Carmen lives?
This is the same as saying:
¿Nos vemos en el lugar en el que /en el cual vive Carmen?
Shall we meet in the place where Carmen lives?
With the relative pronouns que and quien this is also possible. The antecent is not explicit because it's understood:
El que quiera salir antes tendrá que pedirme permiso.Whoever wants to leave early will have to ask for my permission.
Voy a contratar a quien demuestre que es un experto en el tema.I'm going to hire whoever shows that they are an expert on the area.
The non-mentioned antecedent for these would be:
"...la persona que..." (the person who...)
